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| photography by Doug Davis |
While working as a political-staff member for U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) in 1992, Brian Schultz made a chance campaign stop at a Maryland theater pub and was inspired. He decided to take a risk and put his entrepreneurial intuition to the test by pioneering a high-end movie-grill concept in the Dallas area. After seven years of persistent lobbying for the rights to show first-run movies, he debuted the first Studio Movie Grill in Addison in 1999. SMG boasts state-of-the-art, Dolby Digital sound systems in every theater; an award-winning, extensive menu with a full-service bar; and a waitstaff that can be contacted with the push of a button. With five current locations in Addison, Houston, Lewisville, Plano, and anchoring the Arlington Highlands development, Schultz will open three new ground-up movie grills this year in Dallas, Frisco, and Houston.
Age: 38
Title/Company: CEO & Co-Owner/Studio Movie Grill
Tenure: 14 years
What was your first job? I’ve always been an entrepreneur. I started out with my own paper route, then I took over the other kids’ routes and made them work for me.
How did you come up with the movie grill concept? In between campaign stops [while working for Sen. Specter, he] suggested we stop for dinner and a movie at a cinema pub in Bethesda, Md. Though the quality of the food and presentation of the film left a lot to be desired, I still thought, “This is it!” I knew I could do it better.
What made you decide to leave politics in favor of your own enterprise? It was love at first sight. After my first experience of a movie theater with dining, I was sold. I really enjoyed the excitement of a political campaign, but not politics. There was too much red tape in the way of making a real difference in people’s lives.
What were the major challenges to making this idea take off? In the beginning, the movie studios saw us as part of the movie pub genre—bad film presentation, mediocre food. Getting first-run films and evolving the concept to the food quality level of Cheesecake Factory were major challenges.
If you couldn’t say “the people I work with,” what would you say is the best part of your job? Seeing the smiles on our customers’ faces and having couples tell me we saved their marriage by giving them a place to go for date night. Also, being able to offer screenings for families with special needs.
What’s the worst part? Not always being able to attend all the great events, movie premieres, and parties we have going on at SMG!
Do you plan to go national with the concept? Absolutely. The key is to maintain the highest levels of quality and always make decisions that are good for the customer.
On weekends, where would people find you? With my three kids, racecar driving, snowboarding, or practicing yoga.
What book is currently on your nightstand? I am reading The Inside Advantage by Robert H. Bloom.
What are your favorite TV shows? Entourage and The Biggest Loser.
What is your favorite movie? Who do you most like to watch onscreen? Thomas Crown Affair with Pierce Brosnan is one of my favorite movies. Actor: Russell Crowe. Actress: Reese Witherspoon. I acted with Heather Graham in school!
What three Web sites do you visit most frequently? BoxOfficeGuru, HollywoodStockExchange, and Google Earth.
What’s your biggest regret? From the business aspect, not surrounding myself with great people quick enough.
What do you consider to be your biggest weakness? I love to eat. I live to eat, not eat to live.
What’s the best advice anyone ever gave you? “Good is the enemy of great.”
